SPORTS
STORM CENTER: Recalling the triumphant 1995 Bowie girls
![](https://bowienewsonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/WEB-2-6-16-1995-ceremony-group-shot.jpg)
When Rene Hanebutt moved to Bowie in eighth grade, other girls quickly took notice of her work ethic – and love of basketball.
It was at that moment, a group of girls set a goal to win a state championship.
In 1995, that dream was realized as the Lady Rabbits downed Dripping Springs 65-50 in the Conference 3A final.
“My dad (David) was a coach, and my grandfather (Elmer) was a coach,” Hanebutt said in a telephone interview Thursday – chatting all the way from Illinois. “I always had the Larry Bird mentality.”
Hanebutt’s family taught her the value of outworking the opponent. Rene’s father, David, was Bowie’s boys coach. Elmer Hanebutt was head coach at Texas Wesleyan in Fort Worth.
One week ago, Bowie celebrated the 1995 state champions with a special reception and ceremony – and it proved to be a fitting honor for a special group of women.
“It was a fabulous thing to be a part of,” said Mendy Stark Jones, who played a wing on the team.
Stark Jones said she was pleased to see the large number of Bowie fans in attendance for the event.
“Bowie supports its kids in everything they do,” she said. Read more of this column in the Feb. 6 Bowie News.
Editor’s Note: The Storm Center column is the expressed written views of sports editor Eric Viccaro and not The Bowie News.
The Conference 3A 1995 state championship Bowie girls’ basketball team poses with the current squad for a photo before last Friday’s District 3A-9 game against Paradise. The Lady Rabbits defeated Dripping Springs for the 3A crown. (News photo by Eric Viccaro)
SPORTS
Big crowd attends Bowie Sports Association Awards night
![](https://bowienewsonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/backs-of-boys-scaled.jpg)
Nearly 600 youngsters signed up for this season of youth baseball sports through the BSA. The group celebrated with awards this past week and introduction of all its teams. See all the awards and photos from the night in the mid-week Bowie News. (Photos by Barbara Green)
![](https://bowienewsonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/cute-girls-1024x684.jpg)
![](https://bowienewsonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/close-up-rings-1024x684.jpg)
SPORTS
World gets ready for 2024 Summer Olympics
![](https://bowienewsonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/rings.jpg)
The 2024 Summer Olympics is just a few weeks away taking place in Paris. The opening ceremonies will be July 26 and are planned to be unique as they take place along the Seine River that flows through Paris. Thomas Bach prepared this op-ed to welcome the world to Paris.
By Thomas Bach, president of the International Olympic Committee
The Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 is only days away. The excitement gripping this nation is palpable.
As this unique festival of sport draws closer, we all are feeling that France and the French people are ready to welcome the world’s best athletes with the hospitality and passion for sport for which they are famous all around the world.
Already millions of people have greeted the Olympic flame on its journey around France with a huge wave of enthusiasm. All of us are looking forward to an unforgettable celebration of Olympic sport and French culture in the coming weeks.
Read the full story in the mid-week sports in your Bowie News.
SPORTS
Firecracker 5K welcomes 100 runners on July 4th
![](https://bowienewsonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/start-big-group.jpg)
Saint Jo’s Firecracker 5K welcomed 100 runners for its 16th year on July 4th.
According to runsignup.com, Old Jo’s Firecracker 5K saw 100 runners of all ages register to kick off in downtown Saint Jo.
Brayden Willett, 14, Nocona, was the top male finisher with a time of 19:02.6. Sarah Rainey, 35, Saint Jo, was the top female finisher with 21:47.1.
In the male nine and under division, I. Miller, nine, Muenster, repeated his first place win from 2023 with at time of 34:52.8. E. Thomas, eight, no town listed, also repeated her win with a time of 31:58.5.
Emry Raney-Cavnar, 14, Ardmore, OK, won the male 10-14 group and E. Christensen, 11, Decatur, took the female race. In the male 15-19 division Luke Gehrig, 17, Muenster, won, while Sophia Christensen, 15, Decatur, took the ladies’ title.
See all the results and more photos in the weekend Bowie News.
Special appreciation to Jennifer Gaston Panther Photography for use of her photos.
![](https://bowienewsonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Brayden-Willett-overall-winner-1024x682.jpg)
![](https://bowienewsonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Sarah-Raney-overall-winner-female-1-1024x682.jpg)
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